“It was so beautiful, and it wasn’t too far away from California, so it was an easy trip,” Tika recalled. Once they finalized the location, it was time to find the venue. They found a local wedding planner who helped them secure Chileno Bay Resorts & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection for their wedding space.
The wedding festivities kicked off on Friday, May 13 with the welcome party. Guests mixed and mingled amongst each other as well with the bride and groom. The welcome party was also the opportunity for family and friends to give speeches. Tika reflected on Tyler Perry as well as her brother’s speeches. “We're great friends, so hearing both ends of the stories—when things were bad and things were good and everything in between—was so great,” Tika said recalling Tyler’s speech.
For her wedding ceremony, the Ride Along actress wore a Galia Lahav wedding dress with a floral motif and while it wasn’t your typical beach bridal gown, it all came down to how it made her feel.
"I kind of knew right away. It wasn't about the destination. It was about how I felt in the dress,” she said. “I wanted to feel sexy, but I also wanted to feel like a bride. This is my first and last wedding, I’m praying, so I just wanted to kind of blow it out."
They got married on the beach with their daughter, who did double duty as the flower girl and ring bearer, by their side. After the ceremony, the guests moved on to cocktail hour while the newlyweds took their official photos as husband and wife. And then it was party time. Tika changed into another look for the reception. “I wanted something fun and flirty, short and a little sexier so that I could dance,” she said.
As the three-day extravaganza came to a close, Tika was very grateful to her guests for taking time out to spend the weekend with them and be a witness to her and Nick’s love.
"My favorite part of the planning process was just looking at all of the names of my friends and family who were coming," Tika expressed. "Each one made me smile, so it made me even more excited to plan something beautiful. I wanted everybody to have a great time. I really had my friends, my family, my future husband in mind—it wasn't just for me. It was a real celebration of all the people who have held us up on this journey to make it what it is. They're really part of that thread. It was almost like a gift for them to really love where they are, love being together, and just overall having a really great time."
Check out Brides for more exclusive photos of Tika and Nicolas' three-day wedding event.
Featured image by Jana Williams Photography, courtesy of Brides
However, when Tommy joined them, he reminded everyone that while they are enjoying the process, two people are going home at the end of the night.
Ready To Love/OWN
There were some one-on-one connections that looked promising and then there was Justice. The 42-year-old event planner was a crowd favorite at the party. Many of the ladies such as April, Tranika, Lunie, and more were all trying to get his attention during the mixer and so he is sure to keep fans on their toes this season.
Here are some one-on-one connections to watch (light spoilers are ahead):
Sampson and Lunie
This budding couple was all smiles during their conversation. And during her confessional, Lunie, 36, shared that Sampson, 48, had been consistent and put in the effort in trying to get to know her, which is what she liked.
Jamala and Randall
Jamala, 33, described her connection with Randall, 36, as “magnetic.” Randall also gushed over Jamala calling her “gorgeous” and he admitted he had his eye on her as soon as she walked in the door.
LJ and Shakyra
LJ and Shakyra seemed to connect on a variety of levels. They both have kids and they both have been single for three years. LJ is a 33-year-old singer from the U.S. Virgin Islands and Shakyra is a 37-year-old media host/ model from Brooklyn, NY. And while they looked chummy with one another, Shakyra did mention that she typically doesn't date men younger than her.
At the end of the party, Sean was eliminated after failing to make genuine connections with the ladies. Sheresse and Dominka were also on the chopping block but were both spared.
So far, this season looks to be an entertaining one. Let’s hope there are some true love connections.
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